Arup Patnaik, who held the post until now, was facing flak over the August 11 Azad Maidan violence on August 11, in which two people died and over 60 were injured. Several policemen too were injured in the melee.

Patnaik has been promoted as Director General, Maharashtra State Security Council (MSSC), Patil told reporters.

In a protest rally organised by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday, he had demanded the resignations of Patnaik and Patil.

Singh (57) is a 1980 batch IPS officer. Until his appointment today, he was the Additional Director General (Law & Order).